The Future of Bicycles|『踏』向未来

by Bruce Bagnell

Bikes of the future will fly and more.

　　The bicycle has been enjoying a huge surge in popularity in recent years. Originally designed as a mode of cheap, recreational, family-oriented exercise, it was soon recognized _(1)_ the most environmentally-friendly mode of transportation available. Technology and design improvements allowed the bicycle to be _(2)_ by those who required a faster, more exhilarating rides. Over the last few decades, the once _(3)_ machine has become a sophisticated instrument of world class athletic competition. Now, thanks to recent inventions developed by university research departments and private industry, the next phase in the _(4)_ of bicycles seems to be beyond our imagination.

　　A California-based engineering company has built a bicycle that actually flies. The flying bike can float in the air at an _(5)_ of 4.5 meters, by means of two fans under the bike. Once perfected, it will be used _(6)_ for agriculture and humanitarian purposes. More interestingly, a wireless smartphone-controlled device can now turn an ordinary bicycle _(7)_ an electronic hybrid. The device's battery pack stores energy generated while pedaling downhill and _(8)_ it later when needed for pedaling uphill or over difficult terrain. Known as the Copenhagen Wheel, it was _(9)_ at MIT and is already available for purchase. Blaze is another promising device. This one is aimed at increasing cycling safety by reducing the number of collisions. Invented by a UK physics student, the front-mounted lamp projects a colored laser images five meters ahead of the moving bike to alert other road users to its approach, which can prevent an oncoming vehicle from turning across its path. In addition, a company in Thailand is working on a bicycle that purifies the air by filtering carbon monoxide and dust. Although a _(10)_ has yet to be produced, the concept has potential and has attracted the attention of the design world.

(A) neutral (B) releases (C) embraced (D) prototype (E) evolution

(F) exclusively (G) as (H) humble (I) into (J) conceived

(K) rationally (L) altitude

 

『踏』向未来

未来的自行车不仅能够飞行，还可以做更多事。

　　近年来，自行车受欢迎的程度大大地提升。自行车原先被设计为一种便宜、休闲且适合全家一起从事的运动方式，而人们很快地便认可它为市面上最环保的交通工具。科技与设计的进步使得那些追求更快速、更令人振奋旅行的人们欣然接受自行车。这种曾经相当简陋的机器在过去几十年当中已转型为世界级体育竞赛中使用的精密机器。时至今日，多亏了大学研究部门与私人企业近期的发明，自行车发展过程的下一个阶段似乎超乎了我们的想象。

　　一家总公司设于加州的工程公司建造了一台真正可以飞行的自行车。这台会飞行的自行车可以借助自行车下面的两具风扇以四点五公尺的高度漂浮于半空中。一旦更精进之后，它将会专门运用在农业和人道主义的目的。更有趣的是，无线的智能型手机控制装置如今可以将一台普通的自行车转变为电子混合动力车。该装置的电池可以储存踩脚踏板下坡时所产生的能量，并在接下来踩脚踏板上坡或穿越险要地形有需要时将这些能量予以释放。这种自行车被称为『哥本哈根之轮』，它是在麻省理工学院构思而成，现在已可供购买。『火焰』是另一项充满希望的装置。这项装置的目的在于透过减少撞击次数来提升单车安全。一位英国的物理系学生发明了一种车头灯，它会在移动中的自行车前五公尺的位置投射出彩色的雷射图像来提醒其他道路使用者它正在靠近，这可以防止迎面驶来的车辆在其路径上转弯。除此之外，位于泰国的一间公司正在研发一台能够藉由过滤一氧化碳和灰尘来净化空气的自行车。虽然该自行车的原型尚未被生产出来，但这项概念很有潜力，而且已经引起了设计界的关注。

答案： 1. G 2. C 3. H 4. E 5. L

6. F 7. I 8. B 9. J 10. D